County Service Agencies Score Big In Disney Awards

KISSIMMEE — It was a banner week for Osceola County service agencies who brought home a record number of Walt Disney World Community Service awards.

Thirteen agencies Tuesday were presented checks totaling $17,000. Last year, seven organizations won with Help Now of Osceola County taking the top award for $25,000.

There were several previous winners in Tuesday's group including Help Now, as well as newcomers such as the Crime Prevention Association.

Elation and surprise were expressed by agency representatives Wednesday as they began absorbing the pleasant shock of winning $1,000 or $5,000. Hospice of Osceola County took the $5,000, one of the nine Special Judges awards presented.

It was the second time the 2-year-old Hospice had won recognition from Disney World.

Board member Christa Atwell said the money will be used for operating expenses. ''We're very poor now,'' Atwell said, adding that the agency is not in danger of folding but has not received the financial support it needs from the community.

Of the nine categories in which awards were presented, Osceola agencies were recognized in all but two -- Accomplishments by Support Groups and Environment and Ecology.

The competition for the $130,000 was intense with 359 groups from Osceola nd Orange counties applying. Fifty-one Osceola agencies applied and they ranged from the Boggy Creek Elementary School Parent Education Program to the St. Cloud Retirement Home Auxiliary.

Plans for the money are varied and include projects such as buying computers to helping the county implement the 911 emergency telephone system. Here's a list of the agencies, all $1,000 winners, and their plans:

-- St. Cloud Junior Women's Club in the cultural category. President Joyce Vebert said the money will go into the scholarship fund which is established from proceeds of the annual St. Cloud Art Festival.

-- Osceola High School Liaison Association, education. President Cae Wills said Wednesday she was uncertain of how the $1,000 would be spent but suggested it may go toward buying more computer and software equipment. The 12-member Liaison group has spent nearly $30,000 on educational materials for the school including books, computers, culinary arts equipment and microfilm for the library.

-- Police Athletic League, service for youth. The money will go toward buying computer equipment to establish a computer literacy program for the youngsters, said Kissimmee Police officer Ricardo Dixon.

-- Kissimmee Rotary Club, service for youth. Police Chief Frank Ross, who is the club's president-elect, said the money will go into the fund and be distributed to the community. ''We will do something constructive with it.'' The Rotary Club annually donates thousands of dollars to the community and gives United Way of Osceola County proceeds from its Florida State Air Fair held in November.

-- St. Cloud High School Student Council, accomplishments by youth. The club which gained nationwide recognition last year for its project to provide meals to the elderly, has raised more than $3,000 on its own for that program and the Statue of Liberty renovation. Council president Debbie Drake said the money will be put in the treasury, some will go toward buying a new gym floor and lunchroom tables.

-- Osceola High School Student Council, accomplishments by youth. The council has been active in beautifying the school, and working on a security. The money will go into the treasury.

-- Help Now, special health services. Director Nancy Cassin said the money will be used ''to improve the quality of life for the women and children'' who come to the Spouse Abuse shelter.

-- Crime Prevention Association, civic community service. President Tony Stipich said the money will be used to campaign for the 911 emergency telephone system the county wants to implement.

-- Golden Age Club, service to senior citizens. The club which provides recreational, social and educational opportunities for senior citizens will be used for more programs.

-- Council on Aging, service to senior citizens. Executive director Dick Smith said the money will go into a building fund for the council's senior citizen/human resource center that will be built at the old Motor Vehicle Inspection station.

-- American Red Cross Food Distribution, social community service. The agency distributes surplus U.S. Department of Agriculture food to the needy. Money will be used for equipment and operating expenses.